Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

Many people have a favorite restaurant, a place they enthusiastically recommend to friends because of the great experience they have whenever they visit. Part of the experience comes from great food and service, but the experience is more than just that. The experience comes from how things are done, how they feel when they're served throughout the whole process, as well as the great food. This restaurant is always hopping, and probably doesn't do much advertising. Most of their business comes from repeat customers and referrals. So, for a moment, can you imagine that I am just like your favorite restaurant? Like your favorite restaurant, my purpose is for you to be so outrageously happy with both the product and the process - the complete experience of buying or selling a home - that you gladly introduce people you care about to me, because you want them to have the same kind of experience. Know that I can help you, or the person you feel comfortable introducing me to.

Typically, an active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Children, nursing mothers and people who are ill will need even more water. In addition to drinking water, additional water is needed for food preparation and hygiene. Follow these tips on how to properly store water to assure that you will have the water you need in case of a disaster or emergency. Store enough water for everyone in your family and pets to last for at least 3 days: One gallon of water, per person, per day is adequate for general drinking purposes. Three gallons of water, per person, per day will give you enough water to drink, cook and for limited personal hygiene. Store water in thoroughly washed plastic, glass, fiberglass or enamel-lined metal containers. Plastic containers, such as soft drink bottles, are best. Never use a container that has held toxic substances. Store water containers in a cool, dark place. If you store tap water, date each container and replace the water

Here’s a quick note to let you know how I can help you, or the person you feel comfortable introducing me to. Many of my friends, coworkers and family members have been telling me about their experience of being pushed and pulled in all directions. They call themselves the “Sandwich Generation.” Their homes have more people than space. You may know someone in one of the following situations who needs my help: 1.    Someone caring for aging parents while supporting and caring for their own children. 2.    Someone in their 50s and 60s, sandwiched between aging parents, adult children and grandchildren. 3.    Someone in their 30s or 40s with young children, aging parents, and perhaps even grandparents. 4.    Someone involved with elder care, special needs care, or sibling care. The one thing the people of the Sandwich Generation have in common is that they need more space. As you think about people who may need my help, feel comfortable taking out your cell phone a

Creating a video record of your possessions is a good idea, especially if you describe the items out loud as you record. Be sure to make backup copies as well. Creating a home inventory for insurance doesn’t need to be complicated. All you really need is a pencil and paper. The key is to have a record of your possessions in the event you experience a theft or casualty loss from flood, fire, or other disaster. But the more thorough the documentation of your belongings, the less likely you are to run into problems when you file an insurance claim. That’s why you should consider using a digital camera, fireproof safes, and other equipment to create and store your home inventory. Devote a full day to the task. Take pictures of your belongings Photos of your belongings go a long way toward demonstrating ownership and value. Digital photos are preferred, since they’re easier to print and store. A decent digital camera costs less than $100. Be sure to get full-room shots, as well as close-ups

Leaving boxes by the curb alongside the trash lets burglars know you've got new toys inside. You come home to an open front door, a ransacked house, and missing valuables. How did a burglar know you’d be gone? How did they get in? In these 10 thank-you notes, your friendly neighborhood burglars share advice on how to stop lending them a helping hand. 1. Thanks for the ladder! Call me a social climber if you will, but I did discover a ladder in your back yard. Thank you for leaving it where I could lean it against your home and easily reach a second-story window. I really love it when upper story openings aren’t wired to a home security system! So, if you want to keep me out, store your ladder in the basement or a locked garage. And call your security company to wire upper-story windows into your alarm system. Vertically yours, A rising star 2. Loved your trash Can’t tell you how much fun I have driving around neighborhoods on trash day (especially after big gift ho

Acquiring a solar system for your house is a lot like buying a car. Depending on your financial situation, your decision process may vary. You just need to understand the ramifications of each type of purchase. There are several ways to purchase solar; using cash, financing a loan, or leasing. Each has its pros and cons.  Purchasing a Solar System with Cash Pros : Like any purchase, paying cash is usually the cheapest in the long run. You won’t pay any interest, and there are no monthly payments. If you have $15,000 – $25,000 sitting idle in a savings account, you can buy a solar system. Instead of earning interest on your savings, your “return” will be in the form of reduced electric bills. You may be able to offset a $200/month electric bill which equals a “return” of $2,400 / year. This is a great option if you know you will be selling your house. The addition of solar panels may empower you to sell your house for more money. Cons : You spend a lot of money. At the end o

If you're selling your house, you've probably heard all about curb appeal. Once that first impression passes the test, the next thing that meets the eyes of potential buyers is the entryway -- so make it look good. The entrance serves as the transition from outdoors to indoors and can leave an indelible impression in the mind of a potential buyer. Don't underestimate the importance of the entrance to your home. It helps define the quality of your property when people enter. If your entrance exudes richness, buyers will think of your home as a rich property and be prepared to make offers accordingly. The opposite holds true as well. If the entrance is shabby, then no matter how well appointed the rest of the home, 'shabby' is what will be imprinted on the buyer's mind. Having flooring in the entryway that varies from the rest of the house is one way to set off the entrance. I suggest tile flooring, whether it's ceramic, marble, granite, or synthetic. In